Authority endorses anti-abuse message

Blaby District Councillors have signed a pledge to uphold the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Debate not Hate campaign message.

At the recent Full Council meeting members each put their name to a statement supporting the anti-abuse campaign, launched by the LGA to encourage healthy debate and to tackle the abuse of Councillors.

They also approved the new Debate Not Hate: Councillor Handbook which offers information on personal safety and healthy discussion while also providing advice on how to report abuse, prevent abuse from happening and what support is available.

Concerned about increasing levels of attack on local politicians, the LGA published a report on the issue in July 2023. Then in May 2024 launched a self-assessment toolkit to assist officers in reviewing the arrangements in place relating to the abuse and intimidation of Councillors. 

Blaby District Council takes the safety and wellbeing of its Councillors extremely seriously and used this toolkit to assess the current provision and to inform the new handbook. There are sections on lone working, ward surgeries and home visits as well as highlighting a commitment to respect fellow members.

Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said he welcomed the handbook and its guidance. He added: "There is nothing wrong with having different views and expressing those views. That is what leads to healthy debate. All too often, however, we are seeing local politicians fall victim to intimidation, personal attack or harassment, on social media and even in person. 

"This sort of abuse stifles local democracy. It prevents local people from wanting to serve their communities by standing as Councillors. It deters honest discourse and undermines trust in the whole democratic process.

"By producing this handbook and signing the Debate not Hate pledge we are making it very clear we will not tolerate such abuse on elected officials trying to do their best for the local people they serve."

Councillor Terry Richardson
Leader of the Council